Local News in Brief : Check-Cashing Firm’s Owner Shot to Death

The owner of a check-cashing business died after being shot in front of his wife in what investigators believe was a robbery attempt, Los Angeles police said Friday.

Police said Albert Ramirez Morales, 57, died at Holy Cross Hospital in Mission Hills after he was shot at 6:15 p.m. Thursday on Paddock Street near San Fernando Road near his Sylmar home. Police said they were looking for at least two men involved in the killing, which they believe occurred after a staged car accident.

Police said Morales was driving home from his business, North Foothill Check Cashing, with his wife, Rosemarion, when a van backed onto the road. Morales’ car crashed into the van, police said.

A third vehicle, a black Monte Carlo, then pulled up behind Morales’ car, police said. At least two men got out of the vehicles and confronted Morales as he got out of his car, police said. There was an altercation and Morales was shot, police said. His wife was unhurt.

Police said they believe the gunmen had intended to rob Morales, believing he would have money from his business with him. But he was not carrying the money, police said. Both men escaped in the Monte Carlo, leaving the van, which had been stolen during a west San Fernando Valley robbery the day before, police said.